Has the Mopa airport become a North v/s South Goa issue?

This is not a South v/s North Goa issue. There are two factors here. When we think of a nation or state, there should not be another airport just 50km away from an existing one. It is purely a waste of wealth. Mopa is surrounded by rich agricultural land and building an airport there would be a complete ruin of vegetation. Moreover, it will lead to loss of livelihood. An airport requires trained persons, where is the scope for creation of jobs since most of the villagers in and around Mopa are farmers? The sad part is that the farmers will readily accept the compensation for the acquired land. On the other hand, in South Goa, the fear of loss of livelihoods dominates their argument.

Govind Parsekar

Former headmaster, Mandrem

No. I do not think it has. It is about protecting Goa and its identity. All self-respecting Goans should oppose Mopa. Ministers and non-Goans who have vested interests in Mopa are trying to divide and mislead Goans. I don't understand the haste and sudden interest the chief minister has taken towards Mopa; an issue which was not even mentioned in BJP's election manifesto.

Alison Morenas

Entrepreneur, Margao

No. It's not a South v/s North Goa issue. It is a merely politically motivated issue that has been brought to the forefront just before the 2014 general election. It is sad that despite being a relatively higher literary state, we all dance to the tunes of politicians and fail to analyze what is good or bad, right and wrong. One instance of this is the Konkan railway project. Some opposed it, and yet it was commissioned and the state gained from it.

Nitin Volvoikar

Assistant Professor, Mapusa

I think this is an all Goa issue and not merely a North v/s South Goa one. Goa, which is a relatively smaller state, does not need two airports. We need to improve what we have and use the surplus money on development.